Top 10 Budget Travel Errors
Budget travel errors are easy to make, even for experienced among us. Here are 10 common mistakes that can cost you money on the road. Avoid them, and you will have more money to spend on the many enjoyable aspects of visiting new places.
Budget travelers are willing to do without mints on their pillows and turn-down service at night. But there are limits on what you should sacrifice to save money. Staying in an unsafe area is no bargain if you become a crime victim. Sleeping with lice or bedbugs is hardly worth a few dollars off of your hotel bill. Find ways to keep yourself safe from the pitfalls of finding a bargain.More »
Rookie travelers pack twice as much as they need to bring, and then complain when their heavy bags are more expensive at the check-in station. Another thought: you can't catch that inexpensive bus or subway train with three heavy bags in tow. Airlines are imposing unprecedented fees on passengers who fail to practice one-bag travel. Consider the costs and pack lightly.More »
Is your travel agent a friend? If so, there's nothing wrong with that! But if your only reason for visiting his or her office is friendship, you could be costing yourself money. Independent travelers often bypass travel agents altogether, but there are some cruises and adventure travel opportunities that are best left to experts. If your friend knows the ins-and-outs of your planned trek through the Himalayas, hire him. If not, find a travel agent who specializes in the trip you want.More »
If your time is extremely valuable, it might not pay to drive an extra hour to a nearby, less convenient airport. But if you could save several hundred dollars doing so, would you consider it? Most of us would answer in the affirmative. At the very least, it pays to know all your fare options as you search for airfares. Don't forget that your destination often is served by multiple airports, too.More »
Las Vegas is intriguing to millions of visitors who arrive expecting to do more than enjoy the glitzy surroundings. Many dream of beating the house and leaving town with big winnings. While there's nothing wrong with optimism, one simple casino technique is likely to ensure you'll leave The Strip happy and solvent.More »
Do you pay off your credit card balance in full each month? If not, you're paying some of the highest interest rates in the legal realm of lending. To do that in return for a big discount on an airfare is financially irresponsible, and it doesn't end there. Many air miles credit cards charge a hefty annual fee that further cuts into the budget travel benefits. Check out the available air miles credit cards to find out if they'll work in your financial situation.More »
It's tempting to arrive in another country with a pocket full of big bills. While it is a good idea to have some money for ground transportation and incidentals, don't make big currency exchanges at home. Better rates usually await in your destination country. Just avoid airport exchange windows and other places with notoriously unfriendly rates.More »
Hotels are the primary overnight stop for most travelers. But there are many times when it pays to look at alternatives. Would you sleep in a family's spare bedroom and enjoy breakfast with them the next morning? How about an overnight within a convent? Would you consider renting someone's house in an expensive resort area or even exchanging homes with someone at your destination? If not, you're missing new travel experiences that frequently result in savings.More »
So many travelers waste their precious frequent flier miles. They'll spend them for short trips that are better purchased on sale with cash. Others find the miles they thought were in the account have vanished by way of expiration. Airlines are ensured brand loyalty with these programs. Are you getting adequate compensation in return for that loyalty?More »
Whether or not to travel during tough economic times is very much an individual call. But if personal finances allow it, some of the best travel bargains you'll ever find -- especially on longer trips overseas -- will come during difficult financial periods. Imagine that town square in Europe that's virtually empty. Also think about how airlines must fill seats at all costs, hotels need you in their otherwise empty rooms and cruise lines want to sail with as few empty cabins as possible.More »
Trading Safety or Cleanliness for a Low Price
Budget travelers are willing to do without mints on their pillows and turn-down service at night. But there are limits on what you should sacrifice to save money. Staying in an unsafe area is no bargain if you become a crime victim. Sleeping with lice or bedbugs is hardly worth a few dollars off of your hotel bill. Find ways to keep yourself safe from the pitfalls of finding a bargain.More »
Overpacking and Overpaying for Bulky Bags
Rookie travelers pack twice as much as they need to bring, and then complain when their heavy bags are more expensive at the check-in station. Another thought: you can't catch that inexpensive bus or subway train with three heavy bags in tow. Airlines are imposing unprecedented fees on passengers who fail to practice one-bag travel. Consider the costs and pack lightly.More »
Choosing a Travel Agent Solely on Friendship
Is your travel agent a friend? If so, there's nothing wrong with that! But if your only reason for visiting his or her office is friendship, you could be costing yourself money. Independent travelers often bypass travel agents altogether, but there are some cruises and adventure travel opportunities that are best left to experts. If your friend knows the ins-and-outs of your planned trek through the Himalayas, hire him. If not, find a travel agent who specializes in the trip you want.More »
Failing to Check Airfares from Nearby Airports
If your time is extremely valuable, it might not pay to drive an extra hour to a nearby, less convenient airport. But if you could save several hundred dollars doing so, would you consider it? Most of us would answer in the affirmative. At the very least, it pays to know all your fare options as you search for airfares. Don't forget that your destination often is served by multiple airports, too.More »
Expecting to Win Big in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is intriguing to millions of visitors who arrive expecting to do more than enjoy the glitzy surroundings. Many dream of beating the house and leaving town with big winnings. While there's nothing wrong with optimism, one simple casino technique is likely to ensure you'll leave The Strip happy and solvent.More »
Paying Interest and Big Annual Fees on Air Miles Credit Cards
Do you pay off your credit card balance in full each month? If not, you're paying some of the highest interest rates in the legal realm of lending. To do that in return for a big discount on an airfare is financially irresponsible, and it doesn't end there. Many air miles credit cards charge a hefty annual fee that further cuts into the budget travel benefits. Check out the available air miles credit cards to find out if they'll work in your financial situation.More »
Making Large Currency Exchanges Before Leaving Home
It's tempting to arrive in another country with a pocket full of big bills. While it is a good idea to have some money for ground transportation and incidentals, don't make big currency exchanges at home. Better rates usually await in your destination country. Just avoid airport exchange windows and other places with notoriously unfriendly rates.More »
Looking Only at Hotels for Overnight Stays
Hotels are the primary overnight stop for most travelers. But there are many times when it pays to look at alternatives. Would you sleep in a family's spare bedroom and enjoy breakfast with them the next morning? How about an overnight within a convent? Would you consider renting someone's house in an expensive resort area or even exchanging homes with someone at your destination? If not, you're missing new travel experiences that frequently result in savings.More »
Mismanaging Frequent Flier Miles
So many travelers waste their precious frequent flier miles. They'll spend them for short trips that are better purchased on sale with cash. Others find the miles they thought were in the account have vanished by way of expiration. Airlines are ensured brand loyalty with these programs. Are you getting adequate compensation in return for that loyalty?More »
Avoiding Travel in Bad Economic Times
Whether or not to travel during tough economic times is very much an individual call. But if personal finances allow it, some of the best travel bargains you'll ever find -- especially on longer trips overseas -- will come during difficult financial periods. Imagine that town square in Europe that's virtually empty. Also think about how airlines must fill seats at all costs, hotels need you in their otherwise empty rooms and cruise lines want to sail with as few empty cabins as possible.More »